Library holding fund-raiser
BROWNSVILLE – For years, researchers have been able to look up information at the Brownsville Free Public Library on microfilm, but they had to rely on their own notes to take the information with them. “We’re having a fund drive to purchase a microfilm reader/printer for the library,” said Barry Blaine, the librarian at the Brownsville Free Public Library. Blaine said the new reader/printer will cost the library about $6,000. An anonymous donor has already provided $1,000, but the rest of the money will have to come from donations.
“This isn’t our annual fund drive. This is a special fund drive just for the reader/printer. We’ll have our regular fund drive in the fall,” Blaine said.
Blaine said the reader/printer will allow researchers to print out articles relevant to genealogical searches, anniversaries, sports articles and other items. At present, the library only has a microfilm reader. The library has numerous documents on microfilm.
“We have the U.S. Census records from 1790 through 1930 for Fayette County. Also, we have the Clipper Monitor newspaper for Brownsville and the Brownsville Telegraph. We have until 1945 and we’re buying more each year.
“In memory of Margaret Johnson, we have the 1682-1790 Provincial Council records and the Pennsylvania Revolutionary government records. It has been said that because Pennsylvania’s colonial governments often became engaged in the personal lives of their citizens, the colonial records provide much information about individuals whose names may not appear in other records of the period, so it’s very good for local history and genealogy,” Blaine said.
Blaine said solicitation letters are being mailed out to area residents this week.
“If anyone who doesn’t get a letter wants to make a donation, we’d be glad to have it,” Blaine said.
Information about donating is available at the library, located across from the post office on Seneca Street in Brownsville.